Figure wheeled toy



Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. HOST, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GIBBS MANUFACTURING 1,723,74a PATENT OFFICE.

COMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FIGURE WHEELED TOY.

Application filed May 3, 1928. Serial No. 274,837.

My invention relates to toy figures, and more particularly to toy figures of animals and the like, arranged to simulate natural. movements when propelled across the surface of a floor, table top, or the like.

Toy figures of many descriptions have been proposed in which the legs of the figures are arranged to move; but the natural movements of the various species and varieties of animals when walking and rui'ming, include different kinds of movements of body parts, simultaneouslywith the leg movements.

The running movement of a cat, for example, is characterized by an up and down movement of the head and fol-clogs, an up and down movement of the hindqimrtcrs and hindlegs, with a consequent downward arching of the back, and an up and down movement of the tail, all of the movements occurring simultaneously with each other.

Accordingly the objects of the present improvements include the provision of a mechanical toy figure ofan animal, arranged to be propelled by movement across a flat surface, so that not only the legs, but also the body portions and the tail will simulate the running movements of a live animal.

These and ancillary objects are attained in the present improvements by a novel construction and arrangement which will be hereinafter set forth in detail andclaimed.

Although the present improvements may be utilized to provideanimal figures of any desired species or variety; for example, a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the figure simulated that of a cat, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing" forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a mechanical toy cat figure embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2, an elevation view of one side thereof with portions broken away, the movable parts thereof being located in one of the positions assumed thereby when the toy is in use; and

Fig. 3, a similar View, with the movable parts in another position assumed thereby when the toy is in use.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The improved mechanical toy cat figure indicated generally at 10 includes a head and front torso member 11 which may be profile out from a wooden board of suitable thickness, and forelegi-i l2 and 12' may be secured at a suitable location at each side of the head and torso member, the forelegs preferably each have the same profile as the other, and may be cut or blanked from sheet metal.

The rear end of the head and front torso member 11 's interposed between and pivotally connected with the front ends of the rear torso and hindlcg plate members 13 and 13, preferably each having the same profile as the other, and which may be cut or blanked from sheet metal.

The pivotal connection between the head and front torso member ii and the rear torso and hindleg plate members 1? and 3' may be made preferably by means ol :1 rivet Lil.

A tail member 15 which may be profile cut from a wooden board 'n'eferaljily of the same thickness as the board from which the head amlfront torso member ll is cut, is interposed at the proper location between the rear end of the rear torso and hindlcg plate members, and pivotally secured their! o as by means of a. rivet 16.

The tail member 15 includes an :ICl'HHllI'tt-I arm 17 extending towards the head and front torso member 11, preferably below an actuating arm 18 therefor, which extends rearwardly from the rivet 14, and a link 1.9 is pivotally connected at one of its ends with the front torso member actuating arm. i l and at its other end with the tailv member actuating arm 17.

For providing a supporting frame fit] for the toy, a pair of wires 21 and 23 are twisted together at their rear ends to form arear angled handle extremity 22 and at their forward and upward. ends the wires 21. and 21 are looped to form bearings at 23 and 23 about the rivet 14.

Intermediate the handle extremity 22. and the forward upper bearings 23 and 23, the wires are bent to form a pair of laterally spaced downwardly projecting hearing loops 2dand 24: in which are journalled portions of a crank axle or shaft 25, which :arries at its outer ends laterally spaced wheels 26 and 26, and has formed in its central portion a crank 27.

A forward connecting rod 28 is pivotally connected at its lower end with the crank 27, and is pivotally connected at its upper .to the movements of a live cat in end as at 29 with the head and front torso member 11' preferably below and forward of the pivot rivet 14.

A rear connecting rod 30 is pivotally con nected at its lower end with the crank 2", and is pivotally connected at its upper end as at 31 with the rear torso and hindleg plate members 13 and 13, preferably below and at the rear of the pivot rivet 14.

Thus each torso member is provided with an independent connecting rod connection with the crank 27, and the tail member pivotally mounted on the rear torso member; is provided with an actuating arm on the front torso member; whereby the front and rear torso members with the attached legs are oscillated up and down simultaneously with each other and with an up and down oscillation of the tail member 15, when the wheels 26 and 26 rest upon the surface 32 of a floor or the like, and the toy is pushed across the floor as by means of a handle 33 secured upon the handle extremity 22.

The several parts of the toy cat figure are accordingly given movements very similar running.

I claim:

1. A figure toy including a supporting frame, a front torso member, a rear torso member, and a tail member, pivotal means mounted on the frame, the front torso member and the rear torso member both being pivotally mounted on the pivotal means, means pivotally connecting the tail member with the rear torso member, a link ivotally connected at one end with the front torso member and pivotally connected at theother end with the tail member, and means mount ed on the frame and connected with each torso portion and actuated by moving contact with a surface for oscillating both of the torso members about the pivotal means.

2. A figure toy including a supporting frame, a front torso member, a rear torso member, and a tail member, pivotal means mounted on the frame, the front torso member, and the rear torso member both being pivotally mounted on the pivotal means, means pivotally connecting the tail member with the rear torso member, means connect ing the front torso member with the tail for oscillating the tail when one of the torso members oscillates, and means mounted on the frame and connected with each torso member and actuated by moving contact with a surface for oscillating both torso members about the pivotal means.

3. A, figure toy including a supporting frame, a front torso member, a rear torso member, and a tail member, pivotal means mounted on the frame, the front torso memher and the rear torso member both being pirotally mounted on the pivotal moans, means pivotally connecting the tail member wi h the rear torso member, means connecting the front torso member with the tail member for oscillating the tail member when one of the torso members oscillates, a shaft journaled in the frame, a crank on the shaft, a connecting rod pivotally connecting the one end with the crank and pivotally connected at the other end with one of the torso members and means for rotating the shaft.

1-. A figure toy including a supporting frame, a front torso member, a rear torso member, and a tail member, pivotal means mounted on the frame, the front torso member and the rear torso member both being pivotally mounted on the pivotal means, means pi votally connecting the tail member with the rear torso member, means connecting the front torso member with the tail member for oscillating the tail member when one of the torso members oscillates, a shaft journa-led in the frame, a crank on the shaft, a connecting rod pivotally connected at one end with the crank and pivotally coniected at the other end with one of the torso members, another connecting rod pivotally connected at one end with the crank and pivotally connected at the other end with the other torso member, and means for rotating the shaft.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM J. RUST. 

